Bucs toyed with Smith and Caddy in the Wildcat

It might have been the WildCaddy.

The Bucs experimented earlier this season with a Wildcat formation popularized by the Miami Dolphins.

But because offensive coordinator Greg Olson did not take over play-calling duties from Jeff Jagodzinski until just 10 days before the start of the season, there wasn't enough time to make it a viable weapon in the Bucs attack.

In the Bucs version, running back Clifton Smith took the direct snap from center and Cadillac Williams was the other halfback in motion.

Those roles are played by Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, respectively, for the Miami Dolphins.

"Early in the year, we did toy with it here and there,'' Williams said. "They actually had Peanut (Smith) at the point and had me as the guy coming in motion. We toyed with it, but that's as far as it went.

"We definitely have the personnel and the potential. But at the same time, coach Olson kind of got thrown in the fire and it's hard to try to do something else when you're trying to still implement your stuff.''

Williams said the Wildcat is a formation he believes the Bucs would thrive in,

"It's a lot of misdirection and a lot of people pulling,'' Williams said. "It seems so simple, like a simple play, but there's a lot that the defense has to account for on just that one Wildcat formation.''

 Olson said he hasn't ruled out installing the wildcat at some point -- most likely next season.  

"Not to say we won’t do it. but it does take a certain amount of time and preparation,'' Olson said. "I don’t just think you put the wildcat in and in one week and go to work with it. Obviously, you’re limited in reps during the season. That’s the direction most times have gone. We obviously have some personnel who can ruun that package. We’ve talked about it. we actually practiced it a little bit early on in the season. We have a small package. But it takes a certain amount of time and preparation to run a package like that.''

This week in practice, the Bucs' 'look squad' has had to simulate the Dolphins version of the wildcat for the starting defense.

(Quarterback) Josh Johnson is a guy who can do that,'' Olson said. "Peanut jumped in there and did it (Wednesday). He’s a guy who has the ability to throw the ball a little bit, although he missed on (at gadget play) Sunday.''

     

   

Comments

[Dspkable]

I could think of several combinations to try it with besides just Cadillac and Clifton. Josh Johnson can run, Graham can block, pitch out to Ward. Why not? What are we, afraid of losing?

[Tom]

JJ could take the roll similar to Pat White. Sounds pretty good. But, no one does the Wildcat like Miami. Every other team has one or two plays mixed in, but Miami does this to perfection. Not sure we can mimic this, but, it's worth a shot.

[Brandon]

Josh Johnson should have been put in this role, at least on a very limited, a long time ago.

[Valrico Rick]

It's a little late to jump on a dead horse and try to ride. The only team that has had any success with it is 3-3-5 this year! WHOOWHOO! It looks like just when I thought stupid had left the building we are going to waste practice reps on a useless gimmick formation that has the value of the run and shoot. Yes, let's pull Freeman out of the game so we can do the South Beach version of a Sam Wyche! NO, read my lips, 'WASTE OF TIME'!

[Tom]

VR,
I used to feel the same way about the Dolphins Wildcat as a fad and gimmick. And it is for pretty much every other team. But after watching the Dolphins do again this year, it is a pretty impressive system. They have the fifth best rushing offense in the leauge. And it made Pennington one of the best QBs in the league last year.

It may be a gimmick for most teams. And I'm not sure if can be effective here. But, in Miami, it is for real and the Bucs better stay discipline in their gaps. Otherwise, the Dolphins may own 50 minutes of the clock.

[KennyNance]

Why is this an article? You can basically make that heading into anything and it would work "The Bucs toyed with...." place almost anything there and it would work but its still irrelevant.

[Vincent]

Since the Bucs are obviously not going to the play offs, this is the time to experiment. Outside of Miami, It's difficult to think of a team better suited to run the Wildcat than Tampa? The emphasis would be to put the "best players on the field" at the same time, incorporating Winslow, Josh/Johnson or Freeman, Graham, Ward and Williams together, A lot of interesting possibilities. I would also like to see them experiment in a 4 WR "run and shoot" type of system with Ward in the backfield. It would be a great way to continue to get him more involved in the offense. Not saying it would be a successful endeavor, but it would be worth experimenting with, to keep defenses off balance.

[Vincent]

And Valrico I agree, it is sort of Gimmicky, but the Tampa personnel seems too be more than skilled in the areas needed to run it successfully, at least "on paper".

[Adam]

Anyone who says the Wildcat is "gimmicky" is either a) jealous of it's success and/or b) doesn't know a thing about football. Tony Sporano is probably the best Xs and Os coach in the league. Here's a guy who realized that he didn't have a QB with a big time arm, or WRs who scared anyone. But he had 2 of the best complimentary RBs in football and a decent O-line, so he PLAYED TO HIS TEAM'S STRENGTHS rather than trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

The Bucs could learn a thing or two from the Dolphins. Shoot, the Bucs have THREE functional running backs and the best blocking WR (since that's the only thing on Clayton's resume). 1TE, 1WR, Caddy, Graham, and Ward. Take it one step further and go FULL WISHBONE (NOT THE OPTION- WISHBONE FORMATION).

[jerseybuc]

I love the idea, it confounded a few soon to be playoff teams this year. Question I have is why would you debut it against the one team that runs it all the time. Not going to fool the dolphins with our version of their invention, at least initially.

[Vincent]

Fantastic comment Adam! Great point Jerseybuc, I would add that it may not be all that important who they debut "the Wildcat" against, on account that the Bucs aren't going to the play offs.

[BucFandango]

Bryan Billick on NFL Playbook the other day slammed the Miami Wildcat. He said Miami's Wildcat has become ineffective. Teams have figured out how to defend it because it is so very limited with options. Pat White, another player I wanted the Bucs to draft later, instead of Freebird, is running an option that did well against the Pats. The option is not the Wildcat though. The option may work once or twice in the NFL, but LB's & safety's are too fast, and it will be exposed just like the Garbage Wildcat. The Wilcat is dead. It was mortally wounded in Week 5 and has averaged 1.4 yds per play since. Jim Bates doesn't do a lot of things right, but I think he'll figure out how to stop the Wildcat. Also, if Raheem will force his OC to run the ball, even on 3'rd and 5 situations, they will wear down Taylor, Porter and the Miami defense, and win this game. Run Cadi, run Ward, run Graham too in a 2 back set as the fullback. On the jailbreak blitzes throw the quick outside screen. Pound the rock, control the clock, win the game. Run the ball 50 times and you'll beat the Dolphins. The Saints destroyed the Dolphins in the second half. They are a first half team, then they get tired and slow. Bucs 28 - Dolphins 27

[willem]

wow what about cutler tonight??
that tampa cutler bandwagon became very empty. Bears are in a possition with so many needs but no draft picks

[OAR]

Willem, I was thinking the same thing this morning. I for one thought he was overrated and not worth the trade picks the Bears gave up(glad it wasn't us).
Hey spin-DR, you still think all the Bucs needed was Cutler? Cutler(17 int) passed Delhomme(13 int) for most ints so far this year, LOL!

[Tom]

I hope Cutler stinks it up a lot more this year because we stole a 2nd round pick from the Bears for Gaines.

We need to stockpile some more picks because next year's draft will loaded with underclassmen talent. Next year will be the last uncapped year for rookies so they're all coming out.

Plus, free agency is loaded with very good talent like DeMeco Ryans, Thomas Davis, Vincent Jackson. I have been one of the few not participating in the Glazer Lynch Mob. But, if with all of the talent available next year, they better make a commitment towards spending money. Or I'll have my pitchfork ready.

[Yoshi]

Tom i completely agree the worse cutler does... the better for us! Anyway with regards to the wildcat, i think that it is probably the most overrated scheme in the NFL...If we wanted to win a national championship maybe it would be worth while but we want to win a superbowl and if anyone thinks the wildcat would do anything against superbowl caliber defenses you are retarded. Just look at what happened last year when the dolphins played the ravens or just this past sunday... the wildcat only works on undisciplined defenses and i dont think its worth while... NO WILDCAT!!! however i do think we should try running a three back set with two wr in order to get graham into the game... he hasnt been used all year (dont know why) and it could catch the dolphins off gaurd.

[Tom]

Yoshi, I agree with you that for every other team, the Wildcat is an ineffective gimmick. But, the Dolphins run this system extraordinarily well. They have the fifth best rushing defense. Did you see how they dominated the Colts? And Indy has the seventh ranked defense. I was a nonbeliever but they are still gouging teams this year after winning the AFC East last year.

The Bucs defense is going to be thoroughly confused this weekend. The Wildcat looks really simple but the Dolphins do such a great job of stretching the field horizontally. They keep on hitting you in the gut until you over pursue, they'll hit you with a homerun stretch play. Time will tell, but I agree with you that I don't feel this will revolutionize football like the forward pass.

[Vincent]

Agree or disagree as to the benefits and shortcomings of the "Wildcat", it' all conjecture. Since the Bucs aren't making the play offs, there will never be a time like the present to discover it's possibilities. Perhaps what would start as the "wildcat", would evolve further? Guesswork is not worth much. Through experimentation and evidence, sound decisions are made.